crank-up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal
Quick answer
What does “crank-up” mean?
To start or increase the level, intensity, or amount of something, especially by turning a handle or making an adjustment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To start or increase the level, intensity, or amount of something, especially by turning a handle or making an adjustment.
To increase effort, activity, or intensity; to initiate or intensify something, often rapidly or forcefully.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in US English, especially in business/media contexts. UK usage often retains a more literal, mechanical sense slightly more frequently.
Connotations
In both varieties, it often connotes a deliberate, hands-on, or aggressive action to initiate or intensify. Slightly more colloquial in UK English.
Frequency
High frequency in US business, sports, and media jargon. Medium-high in UK English, with a strong presence in tech and business contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “crank-up” in a Sentence
crank up [OBJECT]crank [OBJECT] upcrank it upVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crank-up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We'll need to crank up the recruitment drive.
- He cranked the vintage car up with a starting handle.
- They're cranking up the pressure ahead of the negotiations.
American English
- The company cranked up its marketing spend for the launch.
- Crank up the AC, it's sweltering in here.
- Let's crank this project up and get it done by Friday.
adjective
British English
- The new policy led to a cranked-up level of scrutiny.
- A cranked-up amplifier blasted music across the field.
American English
- The cranked-up tempo of the game exhausted the players.
- He was in a cranked-up state before the presentation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"We need to crank up production to meet the new demand."
Academic
Rare; used informally: "The researcher cranked up the sample size for greater statistical power."
Everyday
"It's getting cold; let's crank up the heating."
Technical
"Crank up the voltage slowly and monitor the amperage."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crank-up”
- Incorrect particle: 'crank on' (wrong). 'Crank up' is correct.
- Using as a noun: 'a crank-up' (rare and non-standard). It's primarily a verb.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is predominantly informal. While common in business jargon, it is generally avoided in very formal writing or ceremonial speech.
Yes, it is a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'crank up the volume' or 'crank the volume up'.
'Crank up' is more informal, vivid, and often implies a more hands-on, deliberate, or forceful action than the neutral 'increase'.
No standard noun form exists. It is used almost exclusively as a verb or occasionally as a participial adjective (e.g., 'cranked-up').
To start or increase the level, intensity, or amount of something, especially by turning a handle or making an adjustment.
Crank-up: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkræŋk ʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkræŋk ʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Crank up the volume”
- “Crank up the pressure”
- “Crank it up a notch”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old car where you literally CRANK a handle to START the engine UP. This physical action of turning to start/increase is the core idea.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTENSITY IS PHYSICAL ROTATION / MORE IS UP (turning a crank raises the level).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'crank up' used MOST metaphorically?